More than 25% of Lewisham GPs fail commitment to migrants and refugees, secret campaign finds

More than 25 per cent of GP services in one borough failed their commitment to refugees and migrants, a secret campaign has found.

There are 34 GP surgeries across Lewisham, all of which are signed up as ‘Safe Surgeries’. Safe Surgeries guidelines dictate that all people should be able to register with a GP without proof of address or ID, have access to interpreters, and be able to use a physical form rather than an online application.

Migrants and refugees are particularly likely to struggle with access to healthcare, often due to language, documentation, digital literacy, and Internet access.

Campaigners from Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network visited all of Lewisham’s GP practices to see if they met their own safe surgery requirements.

Nine out of the 34 pracitices – 26 per cent – failed the test altogether by receiving a score of lower than three out of five.

But there were also positive results, with 90 per cent of the practices offering interpreters, 70 per cent confirming immigration status would not need to be disclosed and the same proportion confirming physical forms were available.

Out of the 34 surgeries, 60 per cent allowed registration without proof of address, and 63 per cent allowed registration without ID.

Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network have submitted their campaign findings to Lewisham council and NHS South East London ICS, so the GPs with room for improvement can be contacted to share the findings with practices. 

Chima Olugh, the Neighbourhood Development Manager for Lewisham at NHS South East London ICB, said: “As a Borough of Sanctuary Lewisham prides itself with the support it offers migrants and refugees, and endeavours to make the borough welcoming and inclusive. 

“We will continue to work together to ensure vulnerable people do not face an inequality in primary health care service provision in our borough.”

Whilst there is still improvement to be made, Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network said many of the GPs had improved since its first investigation last year.

The organisaiton is also working with the council to visit GP training sessions with Doctors of the World and explore best practice opportunities for staff, old and new.

Councillor Oana Olaru, Cabinet Member for Safer Lewisham, Refugees and Equalities said: “As the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, we welcome the work that LRMN have done on ensuring that all our residents have access to the health and care that they are entitled to and we are proud that all our GP surgeries have signed up to the Safe Surgery scheme. 

“It is heartening to see that there has been progress compared to the previous year and we are committed to working with GP practices to further ensure that there is consistency and constant improvements are sought.” 

Pictured top: Volunteers at Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (Picture: Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network)